While trying to maximize trailer ROI purchase price, operating cost, and generation of income are all things to consider. Now, the first point, purchase price must be aligned with what the actual trailer is going to haul—that is what is going to determine if there is long term ROI when you couple the other factors along with it. Good maintenance practices impact the latter points—and that is where Hexagon EAM specifically comes in.
Technology’s Impact on Trailer Management
Heavy duty trucks and the way that they are manufactured, managed, and maintained have been greatly impacted by telematics, sensors, and other technologies—and these components are finding their way to the trailer. In essence, trailers are becoming “smart.”
For example, new sensors that are implemented to directly identify maintenance issues and communicate those issues to the driver and operations department in real time are being used more regularly. This allows operators to easily determine just how severe the issue might be and take appropriate action. In turn, operating costs are reduced because the maintenance issue is discovered sooner rather than later, and ROI is enhanced.
Hexagon EAM has the capability of enabling improved communication between assets and their human operators. Without having to rely on feedback from drivers or other sources.
Preventative Maintenance is Key
Tracking preventative maintenance schedules—and sticking to them—is another key component in effective trailer management. Again, this is an area where Hexagon EAM can be a game changer as the platform can ensure trailer uptime and productivity.
So, first, let’s identify the most common causes of trailer breakdowns:
- Tires
- Brake wheel ends
- Lighting
- Liftgates
If a trailer’s tires need to be repaired, while it is sitting in a terminal, that cost usually runs $100 to $150. However, on the road, this expense can be $600 or more! To prevent this expense from occurring tires with low pressure and tire tread issues must be identified first. Hexagon EAM can help guarantee that pre-trip inspections are efficient and effective and will uncover problems before they become a costly emergency.
Hexagon EAM can assist with tracking preventative maintenance on trailers. In turn, operators and fleet managers can prevent:
- The likelihood of a high temperature warning correlating to a brake or wheel-end component failure
- Slow leaks in tires that result in complete tire failure and expensive road service
- Issues with brake line connections, battery failures, and much more
Predict & Prevent Equipment Failure
Hexagon EAM can help your organization maximize the reliability of your trailer assets before equipment failure occurs. This will allow you to carry out preventative maintenance that will keep assets up and running, enabling your organization to meet your business requirements, serve customers, and ensure long-term profitability. Designed to meet your needs, HxGN EAM will scale as your company evolves.
Our team would love to speak with you about how Hexagon EAM can help your fleet operations better manage your trailers, their maintenance schedules, and other initiatives—making downtime and costly repairs a thing of the past. Reach out to DigitalThinker today and let’s start a conversation. Contact us now!